Armstead files suit against USC

Former USC defensive lineman Armond Armstead filed a lawsuit Thursday against the university, claiming team doctors administered painkilling shots that led to a heart attack and hurt his chances of making the NFL.

Armstead, 22, missed the 2011 season after becoming ill the previous spring. Although he asserted he was healthy enough to play, USC's doctors never cleared him. Armstead, at one time considered a legitimate pro prospect, was not selected in the 2012 NFL draft. He currently is playing for Toronto of the CFL and has 19 tackles and a sack through 10 games.

The lawsuit, filed in L.A. Superior Court on Thursday, states that Armstead was forced to take injections of the painkiller Toradol at different times for a foot injury and shoulder injury, which led to him having chest pains.

Armstead claims in the lawsuit that he complained of chest pains on three separate occasions in February 2011, and each time the team doctor injected him with more Toradol. He says the doctors never warned him or his family about the risks of taking painkillers.

Doctors discovered in March 2011 that Armstead had suffered a heart attack, the report states.

Armstead, his family and USC officials repeatedly have declined to discuss any details of Armstead's medical condition. His father, Guss Armstead, declined comment this afternoon. Armond Armstead declined comment through a Toronto Argonauts spokesman.

USC issued the following statement: "It would be inappropriate at this time for USC to make a comment about the lawsuit."

In a report from the Sacramento Bee, Richard A. Dreyer, a Sacramento-based attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Armstead, said that, "I guarantee USC will blow it off like it's no big deal, but it is a big deal."

Armstead, a product of Pleasant Grove High, appeared in 28 games for USC from 2008-10, including 17 starts. He had 59 tackles, including 10.5 stops for losses.

After missing the 2011 season, Armstead contemplated transferring. He ended up hiring an agent and making himself available for the 2012 draft. Armstead wanted to work out for scouts at USC's spring pro day on campus, but the school would not let him.